San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis (52) celebrates with safety Donte Whitner after tackling Arizona running back William Powell during the third quarter of their game in San Francisco, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Any hope the Green Bay Packers had of facing the San Francisco 49ers without their defensive leader, Patrick Willis, went out the window Wednesday when the inside linebacker declared himself ready for action.

Willis suffered a broken bone in his right hand five weeks ago in a training camp drill and did not take part in any practice until last week.

“The doctor said it looked good,” Willis said. “That’s a good thing.”

Willis was not on the team’s injury report, which means there is a 100 percent chance of him playing.

The caveat to Willis returning is that he will have to wear something to protect his hand. He isn’t sure what that’s going to be yet, but there’s always the possibility it will be a club, which covers the entire hand.

If he can wear something less cumbersome, he probably will.

“Honestly, I really feel like if I’m on the field, I can’t let it affect my play,” said Willis, who finished second on the team with 171 tackles. “I don’t want to cheat my teammates of anything but everything that I have. I want that to be good.

“If I’m on the field I want to make sure I’m ready to go. If I have to make a tackle, I’ll tackle, if I have to cover I’ll cover.”

Willis is used to playing with something on his right hand. He has suffered a break four times there since he was a junior in college and played with a club on it.

How rusty he will be after missing the entire preseason is something that will be on display Sunday, but the fact he is on the field at all will be key for the 49ers.

There were two 49ers on the injury report. Running back LaMichael James (knee) did not participate in practice and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (collarbone) was limited.

Tackle Joe Staley felt bad about the way he played against Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (2-1/2 sacks) in the season opener last year, but he said in the long run the poor performance helped him out.

Staley said he got sloppy in the 49ers’ 30-22 victory at Lambeau Field and used that game as motivation the rest of the year.

“It was one of those things where I wasn’t on my technique,” Staley said. “I didn’t play up to what I should be able to play week in and week out and it really motivated me to not let that happen again.

“Clay is a terrific player. He’s been doing it at a high level ever since he got into the NFL. I have nothing but great respect for him.”

Staley played much better in the 49ers’ playoff victory over the Packers, limiting Matthews to one sack.

Rookie watch

Linebacker Aldon Smith began his film study of Packers rookie left tackle David Bakhtiari on Wednesday in preparation for their match-up.

Smith, who had 19 1/2 sacks last year but faded down the stretch because of a shoulder injury, is healthy again and expecting big things. Starting out the season against a rookie is a bonus but not something he’s taking for granted.

“He’s an athletic tackle, a guy they trust enough to come in and protect Aaron Rodgers,” Smith said. “We’ll see how it goes and figure it out.”

Listed at 6-4, 265 pounds, Smith said he has put on some weight since last season, which he thinks will help him be better at all phases of his job. He said he has been working hard on pass coverage to make him a more complete player.

“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “I’m stronger, I’m healthier, and I know a lot more than I did last year.”

Not worried

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said he knew the risk of releasing quarterback Scott Tolzien when the decision was made.

One of those risks was that the Packers would sign him, which they did to their practice squad, and pump him for information.

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